Patents by Inventor Alain R. Gagne

Alain R. Gagne has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11011153
    Abstract: An electronic mail server, computer-readable medium and method of delivering an electronic message to a wireless communication device are provided. The wireless communications device comprises a long-range wireless transceiver, a short-range wireless transceiver having a range less than the long-range wireless transceiver, and a display screen. A new text message is received via the long-range wireless transceiver. Based upon a short-range wireless connection being established with another device via the short-range wireless transceiver, the wireless communication device is switched to an audio message mode. An indication that the new text message has been received is displayed on the display screen. The new message is selected and, when in the audio message mode, an audio message comprising speech generated based upon the new text message is output via the short-range wireless transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
  • Publication number: 20210118422
    Abstract: An electronic mail server, computer-readable medium and method of delivering an electronic message to a wireless communication device are provided. The wireless communications device comprises a long-range wireless transceiver, a short-range wireless transceiver having a range less than the long-range wireless transceiver, and a display screen. A new text message is received via the long-range wireless transceiver. Based upon a short-range wireless connection being established with another device via the short-range wireless transceiver, the wireless communication device is switched to an audio message mode. An indication that the new text message has been received is displayed on the display screen. The new message is selected and, when in the audio message mode, an audio message comprising speech generated based upon the new text message is output via the short-range wireless transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Darrell Reginald MAY, ALAIN R. GAGNE
  • Publication number: 20200135170
    Abstract: An electronic mail server, computer-readable medium and method of delivering an electronic message to a wireless communication device are provided. The wireless communications device comprises a long-range wireless transceiver, a short-range wireless transceiver having a range less than the long-range wireless transceiver, and a display screen. A new text message is received via the long-range wireless transceiver. Based upon a short-range wireless connection being established with another device via the short-range wireless transceiver, the wireless communication device is switched to an audio message mode. An indication that the new text message has been received is displayed on the display screen. The new message is selected and, when in the audio message mode, an audio message comprising speech generated based upon the new text message is output via the short-range wireless transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Darrell Reginald MAY, ALAIN R. GAGNE
  • Patent number: 10115388
    Abstract: An electronic mail server, computer-readable medium and method of delivering an electronic message to a wireless communication device are provided. An electronic text message for delivery to a wireless communication device is received. When the wireless communication device is determined to be in an audio message mode, an audio message comprising speech generated from the received electronic text message is delivered to the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device may be determined to be in an audio message when an audio message filter parameter received from the wireless communication device corresponds to the electronic text message. The audio message filter parameter may be based upon a sender's identity. The electronic text message is converted to the audio message by sending a conversion request for the electronic text message to a text-to-speech conversion server and receiving the audio message from the text-to-speech server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
  • Publication number: 20170193983
    Abstract: An electronic mail server, computer-readable medium and method of delivering an electronic message to a wireless communication device are provided. An electronic text message for delivery to a wireless communication device is received. When the wireless communication device is determined to be in an audio message mode, an audio message comprising speech generated from the received electronic text message is delivered to the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device may be determined to be in an audio message when an audio message filter parameter received from the wireless communication device corresponds to the electronic text message. The audio message filter parameter may be based upon a sender's identity. The electronic text message is converted to the audio message by sending a conversion request for the electronic text message to a text-to-speech conversion server and receiving the audio message from the text-to-speech server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Darrell Reginald MAY, ALAIN R. GAGNE
  • Patent number: 9596339
    Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
  • Publication number: 20160094706
    Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
  • Patent number: 9237219
    Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
  • Publication number: 20140228076
    Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: DARRELL REGINALD MAY, ALAIN R. GAGNE
  • Patent number: 8731531
    Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
  • Publication number: 20140038574
    Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: DARRELL REGINALD MAY, ALAIN R. GAGNE
  • Patent number: 8554254
    Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
  • Patent number: 8538386
    Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller cooperating therewith for receiving text messages. The controller may be switchable between a normal message mode and an audio message mode. Also, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may further include a user interface device connected to the controller for receiving at least one audio mode filter parameter from a user, and an audio output connected to the controller. The controller, when in the audio message mode, may select received text messages based upon the at least one audio mode filter parameter, and output audio messages including speech generated from the selected text messages via the audio output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
  • Patent number: 8417272
    Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
  • Publication number: 20130012247
    Abstract: A method of updating information included in a handheld device user's contact entry included in a global address list wherein the device stores information of a first type, such as a mobile phone, SMS or MMS number or a PIN. The method includes determining whether the information of a first type has been modified from a first stored piece of information to a second stored piece of information, and generating a message including the second stored piece of information and sending the message to a computer system of the organization if it is determined that the information of a first type has been modified. The computer system stores the second stored piece of information in response to receipt of the message by the computer system for subsequent access by a requesting party. Also provided is an improved handheld electronic device having one or more routines adapted to implement the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Darrell R. May, Alain R. Gagne, Kevin Sundberg
  • Patent number: 8295867
    Abstract: A method of updating information included in a handheld device user's contact entry included in a global address list wherein the device stores information of a first type, such as a mobile phone, SMS or MMS number or a PIN. The method includes determining whether the information of a first type has been modified from a first stored piece of information to a second stored piece of information, and generating a message including the second stored piece of information and sending the message to a computer system of the organization if it is determined that the information of a first type has been modified. The computer system stores the second stored piece of information in response to receipt of the message by the computer system for subsequent access by a requesting party. Also provided is an improved handheld electronic device having one or more routines adapted to implement the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Darrell R. May, Alain R. Gagne, Kevin Sundberg
  • Publication number: 20120252507
    Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: DARRELL REGINALD MAY, ALAIN R. GAGNE
  • Publication number: 20120164996
    Abstract: A method of updating information included in a handheld device user's contact entry included in a global address list wherein the device stores information of a first type, such as a mobile phone, SMS or MMS number or a PIN. The method includes determining whether the information of a first type has been modified from a first stored piece of information to a second stored piece of information, and generating a message including the second stored piece of information and sending the message to a computer system of the organization if it is determined that the information of a first type has been modified. The computer system stores the second stored piece of information in response to receipt of the message by the computer system for subsequent access by a requesting party. Also provided is an improved handheld electronic device having one or more routines adapted to implement the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Darrell R. May, Alain R. Gagne, Kevin Sundberg
  • Patent number: 8200295
    Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
  • Patent number: 8155682
    Abstract: A method of updating information included in a handheld device user's contact entry included in a global address list wherein the device stores information of a first type, such as a mobile phone, SMS or MMS number or a PIN. The method includes determining whether the information of a first type has been modified from a first stored piece of information to a second stored piece of information, and generating a message including the second stored piece of information and sending the message to a computer system of the organization if it is determined that the information of a first type has been modified. The computer system stores the second stored piece of information in response to receipt of the message by the computer system for subsequent access by a requesting party. Also provided is an improved handheld electronic device having one or more routines adapted to implement the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Darrell R. May, Alain R. Gagne, Kevin Sundberg